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The Ngoma School

Currently serving students as young as five years old, to adults who received a late start to their professional dance training. Dance classes, workshops, masterclasses, and auditions are facilitated at Univ of Maryland College Park. 

Dissonance Dance Theatre

DDT is the Resident Ballet of Ngoma Center for Dance. Named ” One of the 11 small-but-mighty dance companies outside of LA and NYC” by Dance Spirit Magazine, Dissonance Dance Theatre is a Washington, DC-based professional dance company founded in 2007 by Shawn Short. Since its inception, Dissonance Dance Theatre has performed for local and national audiences on the East Coast and in the mid-west states. 

Interviews with Dissonance Dance Theatre dancers, artists, and supporters share their stories and happy sentiments of the man who changed their lives as Dissonance Dance Theatre prepares for their Diaspora production.

Company D
Documentary | 1h 30 min | 2023 | HD/4K

Interviews with Dissonance Dance Theatre dancers, artists, and supporters share their stories and happy sentiments of the man who changed their lives as Dissonance Dance Theatre prepares for their Diaspora production.

A small-but-mighty Washington, DC dance company, becomes the place for dancers to fulfill their dance careers, under the contemporary ballet vision of Black choreography/visionary Shawn Short.

Kenni Behind The Camera

In partnership with Dog Bark Media, Ngoma Film Works has invested three years into the Company D project. Wanting to share a behind-the-scenes look into the growth of Dissonance Dance Theatre, and The Ngoma School, Ngoma Center for Dance’s desire to tell our story was fruitful with the completion of this wonderful film production. 

“Many wonderful dance artists have come through Dissonance Dance Theatre, but I don’t think many folks know that. I wanted the world to know that we are here and we are doing the work to develop creative talent in the DC area.”
– Shawn Short
Founding Director
Ngoma Center for Dance 

Since 2020, Ngoma Center for Dance’s newest program, Ngoma Film Works, has been buzzing with new its latest productions.

In partnerships with Dog Bark Media LLC, a Black-Owned media company in Washington, DC, Ngoma Film Works initial projects have received selection in more than 10 film festivals – including American Dance Festival’s Movies By Movers.

“Since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, many of my dance elders have begun passing away. Their stories, and many others before them, have gone with the “wind of time”. We talk about the youth knowing their history, we need to do a better job of educating and film is one way to aid tomorrow’s DC area dance students.” – Founding Director Shawn Short

Support
We believe that together we are strong. Ngoma Center for Dance is making changes to prepare for an uncertain arts terrain. Your support is always a gift and is never taken for granted.
Donate to Ngoma

Every donation aids us in providing equity and access to many artists and families of varying backgrounds. Ngoma Center for Dance provides many programs and opportunities through the support of our generous funders, whom -without them – many artists (especially of color) would not have reached their dance dreams. DDT alumni have traveled forward to companies such as Momix, Virginia Ballet Theatre, Philadanco, Garth Fagan, Carolyn Dorfman Dance, UniverSoul Circus, Phoenix Dance Theatre (U.K.), and more…

The Ngoma School alumni roster has matriculated into Dissonance Dance Theatre trainees and apprentices. Many students have utilized Ngoma’s disciplined structure to excel in their secondary education toward acceptance into higher education.

Consider donating today, a smiling dancing face will thank you “ in step”. Click below.

Want to Work WIth US? 

Ngoma Center for Dance, the parent organization to Dissonance Dance Theatre, is a company of smart, ambitious artists, creatives, staff and administrators who work together for a common goal, dance. Together, we are building a better artistic future for our patrons, students and our communities around the Washington, D.C. area.

At Ngoma Center for Dance, we understand that an organization is only as good as its people. This simple fact is central to all that we do.

We call it “the Human Mindset” – an organization-wide commitment to attracting and developing artists (and staff alike) to insight, innovate, aid, and care. This talented being ultimately learns and grows, adding richness to our organization.

Shawn hugging Patrelle's mom
Destiny
IABD Women of Color Audition 2020
DIssonance Dance Theatre
The Ngoma School
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Address & Contacts

Washington DC
202-540-8338 (DC Office)
202-399-0174 Fax

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